Napkin dispenser



April 4, 1939. E. c. MORRIS NAPKIN DISPENSER Filed Nov. 4, 195'? ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 4, 1939 PATENT OFFICE NAPKIN DISPENSER Elmer Morris, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Marathon Paper Mills Company, Rothschild, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application November 4, 1937, Serial No. 172,779

3 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in napkin dispensers and similar devices.

My invention relates more particularly to an improved structure in napkin dispensers of the type particularly adapted to dispense folded paper napkins.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an improved napkin dispenser of the type described.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved paper napkin dispenser that can be easily and quickly loaded with a supply of paper napkins by unskilled workmen.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved napkin dispenser that besides its mechanicaladvantages is very neat in appearance, small and compact for easy and cheap shipment and practically impossible to break or get out of order.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved napkin dispenser of the type described capable of supporting a plurality of folded paper napkins in such a manner that individual nakins can be easily and quickly removed therefrom, yet at the same time other napkins in the dispenser will not be disturbed by the act of removing the individual napkin.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved dispenser of the class described so constructed that two compartments for napkins are formed therein and two dispensing openings are provided when the dispenser is closed in an operative position.

A further object of my invention is to provide a pivotally mounted combined top and holder member capable of being oscillated from one side to the other during the filling operation.

A further object is to provide a napkin dispenser formed with a comparatively small dispensing opening so that napkins disposed therein will have the maximum protection from dirt, dust and other sediment during the time that they are in the dispenser.

Other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following description wherein reference is had to the accompanying sheet of drawings, upon which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of my improved dispenser with paper napkins disposed therein;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the dispenser taken generally on the lines 2-2 of Figure 1 with the top in a changed position to show the manner in which the dispenser is filled.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing paper napkins and the cover member tilted over for filling the left hand compartment;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally on the line 4-'-4 of Figure 1, showing 5 the manner in which the top is yieldingly held in position upon the container;

In the embodiment of my invention which I have chosen to illustrate, in Figure 1 I provide a Y rectangularly shaped housing Ill formed with the 10 bottom wall l2 and left and right side walls l4 and I6 and the end walls l8. A friction member 20 is adapted to be secured to the under side of the bottom wall l2 for normally holding the container against movement upon slippery surfaces 16 such as marble table or counter tops. The side walls I4 and It may be slightly outwardly tapered as shown with a slight arcuate bend 22 adjacent a portional opening 24 therein. The opening 24 extends approximately the width of the container 20 and has the short upwardly extending wall portions 26 which terminate below the top edge of the end walls I8.

I provide a cover 28 formed with the top wall 38 and side walls 32 and 34. The side walls 32 28 and 34 are formed with the opening 36 which is bounded at its ends by elongated wall portions 38 and 48. These portions extend downwardly and overlap the elongated wall portions 26 of the side walls of the container and with the cover in position as shown, form a generally rectangular dispensing opening.

With the dispensing opening in the'position indicated paper napkins of the type shown in Gardner Patent No..1,880,345 October 4, 1932, will be positioned with the thinner fold portion having its upper edge projecting through the opening so that the napkins may be grasped by this edge and withdrawn from the dispenser. The top 30 is held in position upon the container 40 ID by apair of strap members 42 which are spotwelded or otherwise secured to the wall 30 andextend downwardly adjacent the walls I8 of the container engaging in a slot 44 an angular member 46. The slots 44 terminate at the lower end 45 of straps 42 in circular openings 48 so that by raising the cover 28 upwardly until the ends of member 46 are in the openings 48, the cover may be tilted either to the right or left as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The straps 42 are further 50 formed with the bent out portion 50 and being of spring steel are capable of slight yielding topass over and engage the portion 52 of angular members 46, thus locking the cover in position upon the container in this manner. 55

Means for yieldingly advancing a plurality of napkins N toward the dispensing openings 36 are provided and may comprise a pair of plate members 55 and 51' secured by soldering or in any other suitable manner to a coiled spring member 59 positioned between the two plates. Thus, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 the plate members may be moved to the right or to the left for the purpose of filling-the container with napkins.

From the ioregoing'description it will be apparent that a comparatively simply constructed and advantageous napkin dispenser has been provided, one in'which the openings through which the napkins are dispensed are comparatively small yet permit the easy removal of a suitable type of paper napkin from the dispenser. It will further be apparent that napkins which are withdrawn from the dispenser will be considerably cleaner than those dispensed from containers which permit a large area of the outer napkin to be exposed to atmosphere.

While I have illustrated and described a specific embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made in the specific details shown, and I do not wish to limit myself in any particular, rather what I desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A paper napkin dispensing cabinet comprising a substantially rectangular container having an open top end, a. pair of side walls disposed at diverging angles and each having a portional opening therein in the upper edge thereof, a memher having angularly bent ends secured to the inner side of the end walls of said cabinet, a top, a pairof end brackets secured to said top'and disposed over said member and slidably and pivotally mounted thereon, said top having diverging side wall portions complemental to the side walls of said cabinet and cooperating with the portional openings to form elongated dispensing openings.

2. A paper napkin dispensing cabinet comprising a substantially rectangular container having an open top end, a pair of walls dis-posed for a portion of their height at diverging angles: and then" at converging angles and each having a portional opening therein in the upper edge thereof, a member having angularly bent ends secured to the inner side of the end walls of said cabinet, a top-,a pair of end brackets secured to said top and disposed over said member and slidab-ly and pivotally mounted thereon, said top having diverging side wall portions complemental to the side walls of said cabinet and cooperating with the portional openings to form elongated dispensing openings.

3. A paper napkin dispensing cabinet comprising a substantially rectangular container having an open top end, a pair of side walls disposed for a portion of their height at diverging angles and then at converging angles and each having a portional opening therein in the upper edge thereof, a member having angularly bent ends secured to the inner side of the end walls of said cabinet, a top, a pair of end brackets secured to said top, said brackets each having an elongated slot terminating in a round opening for receiving said member, said member disposed through said slots and providing a pivotal mounting for said brackets in said round opening, said top having diverging side wall portions complemental to the side walls of said cabinet and cooperating with the portional openings to form elongated dispensing openings.

' ELMER C. MORRIS. 

